M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives
University Libraries / University at Albany / State University of New York
1400 Washington Avenue / Albany, New York 12222 / (518) 437-3935

VOLUME: 45 reels of microfilm,55.05 cubic ft.

ACQUISITION: All microfilm items in this manuscript group (with the
exception of the Meeting Transcripts which were microfilmed by CSEA) were lent
to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department Special
Collections and Archives, by the Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
(CSEA), AFSCME Local 1000, and subsequently microfilmed as a part of the Harry
Van Arsdale, Jr., Labor History Project. The originals were returned to
CSEA. All other records are donated to the University Libraries on an annual basis.

ACCESS: Access to this record group is unrestricted.

COPYRIGHT: The researcher assumes full responsibility for
conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever
possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives
will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but
the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission
to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head
of Special Collections and Archives.

The Civil Service Employees Association, Inc., or CSEA, is the largest public
employees' union in New York State with over 260,000 members. CSEA began in
Albany, New York in 1910 as a collective effort by a small group of state
employees to secure better wages and working conditions. Originally known as the
Association of State Civil Service Employees, the organization adopted its current
name in November 1946. Between 1920 and 1940 the organization
grew from a handful of workers to a membership of over 600. This increase in
membership was largely based upon the admittance of non-competitive class civil
service employees. By 1947 the organization admitted another class of state employees, local government
workers, with the issuance of a charter to Westchester County employees.

Ever-increasing membership prompted
CSEA's leadership to formalize the union. As part of this effort, CSEA purchased its first building in 1947. Along with the procurement
of an organizational headquarters and the statewide issuance of charters, CSEA
also published a constitution. As expressed in the CSEA constitution, the fundamental
purpose of the organization is to "represent its workers with respect to all
terms and conditions of employment, to uphold and extend the principles of merit
and fitness in public employment, and to maintain and promote efficiency in
public service and to advance the interests of all Civil Service employees."

CSEA's commitment to its members encouraged other state employees to join the
union. CSEA's membership expanded to more than 40,000 by 1948. While other
labor organizations discontinued operations in times of economic hardship, CSEA's membership
remained active. By the 1960s the organization had become so large in number
and effective that its endorsement became much sought after in the New York State political arena.

In 1967 the Taylor Law went into effect, changing the face of labor relations
in New York. The Taylor Law established "good faith" collective
bargaining practices for both management and labor. Furthermore, it declared all strikes by state employees illegal and prescribed a "two for
one" penalty for those labor organizations whose members participated in a strike.
In spite of the Taylor Law and its prohibitions against strikes by state employees,
at midnight on March 31, 1972, New York State employees engaged in their first
strike. The striking workers, members of CSEA, walked off their jobs to protest
meager wage increases presented during contract negotiations. The strike lasted
two days and resulted in contracts which included salary increases and productivity
bonuses.

In 1974 CSEA "regionalized" creating six geographic subdivisions in New York.
The regions are: 1) Long Island, serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties; 2) Metropolitan,
serving New York City; 3) Southern, serving the seven counties of the mid-Hudson
area; 4) Capital, serving the 14 counties surrounding Albany; 5) Central,
serving 20 counties with Syracuse at the hub; and 6) Western, serving 14 counties
extending to Buffalo and the westernmost part of the state.

In 1978 CSEA undertook a trial affiliation with the American Federation
of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) as Local 1000. CSEA became
a permanent member of AFSCME in 1981. Currently, CSEA is the largest affiliate
of AFSCME, which in turn is the largest member of the AFL-CIO.

CSEA publishes an official monthly newspaper for its members. Originally entitled The
Civil Service Leader, CSEA changed the publication's name in 1978 to The Public Sector and to The Work Force in 1998.
The newspaper serves to keep members informed of the union's activities locally and statewide.

During its 100 year history, CSEA has achieved significant accomplishments. In 1920 CSEA had its first victory with the establishment
of the New York State Retirement System. Throughout the 1930s, CSEA became more influential in state politics. In 1931 CSEA introduced a legislative measure that led to the 1936 abolition
of the 72-hour work week for employees of state institutions. Another accomplishment of the 1930s was the passage of the Feld-Hamilton law on June 3,
1937. The new law set in place a salary plan that provided state employees with minimum salaries and equal pay for equal work. As the decade of the 1940s approached, CSEA took on a new direction.
1946 set the stage for enormous growth with the official change of the organization's name to CSEA and the constitutional change that opened up membership to all New York public employees.

Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s CSEA was a very influential labor union. CSEA backed the 1967 Public Employees Fair Employment
Act, also known as the Taylor Law. CSEA also had a large role in the passage of the Public Employment
Safety and Health Act. The new law created safer workplaces for all public employees by creating minimum safety standards. In the late 1970s, CSEA
made its most dramatic move as a labor organization when it joined AFSCME. A major success of the 1980s was CSEA's constitutional change to allow the organization of private sector employees.

As CSEA approached and entered the new millenium, it realized that it would be faced with new challanges as it advocated for workers' rights, including a growing pool of retirees. After several years of fighting for a permanent cost of living adjustment (COLA) to the pension system, CSEA utilized the union's influential power to obtain the benefit in 2000. Today CSEA continues to serve as an advocate for workers, bargaining for just contracts and campaigning for quality and affordable helath care, education, safe workplaces, and guaranteed Social Security benefits.

Following is a list of CSEA Presidents from the organization's founding through today:

The records of the Civil Service Employees Association span from 1918 to the present.
There is no documentation of the organization's initial years of existence.
The records include Transcripts of Meetings, Records of Resolution or Motion, Legal and Administrative Files, Subject Files, Publications, News Clippings, Press Releases, Audio Visuals, Scrapbooks, and records of the CSEA 100 Project, an extensive interview project created to help celebrate the union's centennial in 2010.
Of these, publications is the largest series and includes CSEA's official newspapers The Civil Service Leader, The Public Sector, and The Work Force. Please note that the records of the Capital City Council of the Civil Service Association, which formed in 1918, are also included in Series 1: Transcripts of Meetings.

The collection contains a variety of record formats. A selection of early to mid-twentieth century meeting transcripts and publications are housed on microfilm, some filmed by CSEA and others by the M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives. There is a substantial number of paper files including correspondence, newspapers, meeting and interview transcripts (also digitized), meeting minutes, and subject files, and both hard copy and digitized publications and photographs.
In addition, there are video and audio tapes and scrapbooks. Links to all digitized materials are available from this finding aid.

Conspicuously absent from the collection is any documentation of the strike in 1972 by CSEA members, except for any discussions in
the minutes and transcripts of meetings. While only lasting two days, it is noted in New York labor history for being the first strike by
state employees under the Taylor Law of 1967, which made it illegal for New York State employees to strike and imposed
harsh financial penalties for those who did.

For additional labor collections in the Department,
see the online subject guide for Labor.

The reels contain annual meeting minutes (with tables of contents), correspondence, CSEA President's reports, and verbatim transcripts
of Board of Directors, County and State Delegate, and State Executive Committee meetings. Also contained on reel 10 are the minutes
of special delegates meetings and the records of the Captital City Council of the Civil Service Association which formed in 1918.

The Board of Directors Meetings subseries includes committe reports, memorandums,
state officer reports, interim Board of Directors meeting materials, and meeting minutes. Board of Directors Meetings
are held several times a year.

Included in the Annual Delegate Meetings are agendas, resolutions and bylaws under consideration,
officer reports, lists of delegates, committee reports, and meeting minutes. Annual Delegate Meetings are
held on a yearly basis over a three or four day period.

Included in the State Executive Committee Meetings are minutes, agendas, motions and resolutions, letters to members,
officer reports, lists of delegates, and committee reports. State Executive Committee Meetings were held several times a
year, but this function now falls under the supervision of the Board of Directors.

Included in the County Executive Committee Meetings are minutes, agendas, motions and resolutions, letters to members,
and transcripts of meetings. County Executive Committee Meetings were held several times a year.

The Records of Resolution or Motion series is a compilation of the proposals
made at various organizational meetings between 1961 and 1969 and in 1978. Although the majority of the records are from one decade, there is a considerable
amount of information within the series as the issues raised during the meetings
varied widely. This information could be used to study the organization's development
during the 1960s as that time period saw radical changes in New York State labor
policy.

The Legal and Administrative files on reels contain various records pertaining to the political, legal, and administrative
aspects of the CSEA. These records include the agreements between CSEA and New York State and its various units, collective bargaining agreements,
and the meeting minutes of the Legal Committee. The reels also include model constitutions and by-laws, department head
minutes and reports, and Political Action Fund meeting information.

The paper portion of the Legal and Administrative Files series also consists of agreements between CSEA and New York State and its various units, and materials pertaining to the Public Employee
Federation (PEF) challenge. In the 1970s PEF challenged CSEA for sole representation of
state employees in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Unit.
Included are memorandums, case materials, court decisions, press
releases, and news clippings. The paper portion also features material that spans the entire scope of the legal
and administrative aspects of CSEA, including files from the Suffolk County Chapter, the Committee on Revision of Constitution and By-Laws, and material from the Council 82 strike of 1979-1980.

The Subject Files are an artificial compilation of CSEA's many organizational activities and include information and correspondences of
presidents Ted Wenzl, Joe McDermott and Danny Donohue, as well as a file kept by the CSEA on Governor Mario Cuomo. The folder of material that includes
three signed cartoons by Hy Rosen, a bumper sticker, and flyers all related to President Wenzl,
were donated by his son Thurman Wenzl.

This series contains both the official CSEA newspaper for its members and smaller newsletters which focus upon a specific segment of membership. The official newspaper chronicles CSEA activities
such as scholarship funds, solidarity marches, and the individual achievements
of members. Originally entitled The Civil Service Leader the name was changed
to The Public Sector in 1978 and to The Work Force twenty years later. The early editions of the newspaper
focused primarily on the maintenance of wages and benefits. They also listed
numerous job vacancies throughout New York State and the nation.

The collection includes paper, microfilm,
and PDF file versions of the official newspaper. Note that there are only a few years for which
copies of the publications are available in all three formats.

The smaller newsletters in this series focus upon such topics as retiree news, women, and safety and health.

This series is a compilation of
news clipings from several statewide and local New York newspapers. The CSEA Communications Department compiles and produces
a news clippings packet on a bi or tri-monthly basis. The news clippings have been left in original packet form.

This series includes press releases, weekly summaries, and statements/speeches. Press releases, though incomplete, cover a broad range of topics from key issues
to notification of meetings. The press releases are produced by CSEA and distributed in a paper format and posted
on the CSEA website. The weekly summaries, also known as "Hot Sheets," are summary memos outlining the activities of
the various CSEA departments for that week. They were distributed internally and offer a glimpse into the week to week work undertaken by the CSEA.
The statements/speeches were made by CSEA leadership and officers regarding the union's position on key issues.

The Audio Visual series contains videos dating from 1969-2006 and audio tapes from 1976-2003. The video portion of the series includes
live footage of CSEA events, advertisements, Annual Delegates Meeting opening and closings, and videos directed toward members. The audio portion of
the series includes CSEA jingles, radio comments, and advertisements.

The CSEA created an oral history initative, the CSEA 100 Project, to commemorate the union's 100th anniversary in 2010. This series includes paper transcripts and audio recordings of interviews.
Project interviewees ranged from state officers, regional presidents and officers, and Board of Directors members, to
legal staff, building staff, and secretaries to state officers.

This series is composed of scrapbooks from the Oneida County CSEA Chapter and sectretary of Local 767, Dorthy Dutton. The
scrapbooks generally include news clippings, photographs, flyers, notices, etc.
Photographs were removed from scrapbooks 2, 3, and 4 for preservation reasons.

The membership series contains materials produced by CSEA headquarters for its members. It contains resource manuals on a variety of subjects such as test preparation for the civil service exams,
how to submit an amendment or proposal to the statewide constitution, and educational assistance. Materials about each of the five regions are included as well as materials pertaining to the internal departments at headquarters.
In addition, there are a number of pamphlets aimed at members along with flyers about the benefits of being a member in the union.

1. Meeting of State Chapter Presidents, February 22, 1971-1 of 2
2. Meeting of State Chapter Presidents, February 22. 1971-2 of 2
3. Meeting of State Chapter Presidents, November 8, 1972
4. Meeting of State Chapter Presidents, March 23, 1981
5. Meeting of State Chapter Presidents, November 29, 1982

1. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1961-paper and microfilm available
2. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1961-paper and microfilm available
3. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1962-paper and microfilm available
4. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1962-paper and microfilm available
5. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1962-paper and microfilm available
6. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1963-paper and microfilm available
7. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1963-paper and microfilm available
8. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1963-paper and microfilm available
9. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1963-paper and microfilm available
10. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1963-paper and microfilm available
11. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1964-paper and microfilm available
12. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1964-paper and microfilm available
13. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1964-paper and microfilm available
14. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1964-paper and microfilm available
15. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1965-paper and microfilm available
16. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1965-paper and microfilm available
17. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1965-paper and microfilm available
18. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1965-paper and microfilm available
19. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1965-paper and microfilm available
20. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1965-paper and microfilm available
21. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1965-paper and microfilm available

Box 2Folder

1. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1966-paper and microfilm available
2. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1966-paper and microfilm available
3. Record of Resolution or Motion, 1966-paper and microfilm available

The collection includes paper, microfilm,and PDF file versions of newspapers. Note that there are a few years for which
copies of the publications are potentially available in all formats.
The PDF files are available online and were created from the microfilm copies of CSEA's publications.
At present, issues from 1932-1949, 1946-1947 and 1950-1953 are available online.

1. Mouseland, VHS, 1983
2. TV Spots: NYS, Sarah, Matt, Built on Care, No Matter, VHS, June 13, 1985
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Four CSEA television spots relating to the mentally disabled. Based on campaign "Built on Care"
3. Channel 10 CSEA News Coverage, VHS, March 9, 1989
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Channel 10 News coverage of state layoffs and CSEA's work to
prevent the layoffs
4. Building our Future, VHS, 1989
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video explaining rights and benefits to union members
5. CSEA It's your Union, VHS, 1990
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video of members testimonials on how CSEA has helped them
6. AFSCME Solidarity Day, VHS, August 31, 1991
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video footage of AFSCME Solidarity Day including member testimonials and marching
7. CSEA Convention Video, VHS, 1991
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA opening video for 1991 convention. Includes footage of Solidarity Day and the 20,000
member march on Albany
8. Nassau Election Campaign, Spots, VHS, 1992
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA TV spot including members speaking out on the importance of CSEA and reminding members
to get out and vote on election day
9. Nassau Election Campaign, Spots, VHS, 1992
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA TV spot including members speaking out on the importance of CSEA and reminding members
to get out and vote on election day
10. CSEA Convention Video, VHS, 1992
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA opening video for 1992 convention. Based on CSEA campaign of "Public Pride Public Service"
11. Keep Public Services Public, VHS, 1993
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA campaign against privatization and privateers
12. Belong to be Strong, VHS, 1993
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video stresses the importance of participation and teaches
members how to sign up new members

Box 2Tape

1. You Profit, VHS, February 1, 1995
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA TV spot showing members profiting from CSEA's work
2. You Profit, VHS, February 1, 1995
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA TV spot showing members profiting from CSEA's work
3. CSEA In Touch With You, VHS, 1995
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA campaign to show that CSEA is "in touch" with union members
4. CSEA Contract Information Teleconference, VHS, April 20, 1995
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video of CSEA teleconference to help answer member's questions
on a tentative 4-year contract that would effect 95,000 members
5. The Spot That Dropped A Republican Governor's (Pataki) Ratings By 30
Points, VHS, 1996
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Features two commercials that led to the drop of the governor's
ratings by thirty points
6. CSEA Anti-Budget Campaign, VHS, January 31, 1996
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA TV spot showing the effects of state budget cuts on public
employment
7. AFSCME Convention: Bill Clinton, VHS, 1996
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Bill Clinton's speech at the 1996 AFSCME convention
8. I Can Make a Differance, VHS, 1996
9. AFSCME Convention, VHS, 1996
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Wrap up video of AFSCME convention that salutes the delegates
10. 5 For The Future, VHS, 1997
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video of CSEA President Danny Donohue, AFSCME President Gerald
W. McEntee, and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney discussing the future of the
Labor Movement
11. 20 Years of The Public Sector: Your Story in Progress, VHS, 1997
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video on the history of the CSEA publication, The Public
Sector
12. 20 Years of The Public Sector: Your Story in Progress, VHS, 1997
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video on the history of the CSEA publication, The Public
Sector

1. We Are the Union, VHS, 1999
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video stressing the importance of CSEA's growth and transformation for the future
2.CSEA Conference Close, VHS, September 19, 2000
3. AFSCME 2000: Bill Clinton, VHS, June 30, 2000
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -President Clinton's speech at the 2000 AFSCME Convention
4. CSEA-Vote 2000, VHS, 2000
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video persuading people to vote in 2000 including speeches by Hillary Clinton and Al Gore on the importance of voting
5. CSEA-That's Me!, VHS, 2000
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video of members explaining how CSEA helped to organize their workforce
6. CSEA-That's Me!: 1)Political action 2)Political Action-Vote, VHS, October, 2000
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA TV spots focused on workers working to get things done with CSEA
7. 2000 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting Opening Video, VHS,
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA opening video for the 2001 annual convention. Based on the campaign "CSEA That's Me!"
8. Fired Up, VHS, October 25, 2001
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video explaining the importance of when one voice is joined by many then it will be heard
9. Fired Up, VHS, October 25, 2001
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video explaining the importance of when one voice is joined by many then it will be heard
10. CSEA Mental Health, VHS, February 21, 2001
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -2 CSEA TV spots on mental health. Focused on the mentally disabled and their need for family and community support
11. Organize for Power, VHS, 2001
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -AFSCME video that teaches people how to organize
12.RX Reform, VHS, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA TV spot focused on the increase of prescription drug costs and the need for reform

Box 5Tape

1. Star Spangled Banner, VHS, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video of CSEA members uniting to sing the national anthem in remembrance of the 5 members
who died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center
2. Star Spangled Banner, VHS, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video of CSEA members uniting to sing the national anthem in remembrance of the 5 members
who died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center
3. AFSCME Members Fight Back, VHS, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -AFSCME video on paycheck protection. Explains how it is a deception and an attack on unions
4. Victory in Ellenville, VHS, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Victory of Ellenville hospital workers to organize
5. Victory in Ellenville, VHS, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Victory of Ellenville hospital workers to organize
6. CSEA 2002 Convention Video, VHS, September 5, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA opening video for the 2002 annual convention. Based on CSEA's campaign "Make it Happen"
7. A New Day for Homecare, VHS, 2002
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -AFSCME video about home care workers that came together to form a union for better pay and health insurance
8. CSEA 2003 Annual Conference, VHS, 2003
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -CSEA opening video for 2003 convention. Based on CSEA and AFSCME affiliation
9. AFSCME Lobby Day Tape 1, VHS, March 30, 2004
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Live footage from the 2004 AFSCME lobby day in Albany, New York
10. AFSCME Lobby Day Tape 2, VHS, March 30, 2004
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Live footage from the 2004 AFSCME lobby day in Albany, New York
11. AFSCME Lobby Day Tape 3, VHS, March 30, 2004
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Live footage from the 2004 AFSCME lobby day in Albany, New York
12. CSEA/ CN-9 Partnership13. Tribute to Irene Carr, DVD, 2004
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp -Video tribute to longtime CSEA State Secretary Irene Carr

Foundation of Advocacy for Mental Health News Conference: Rosalyn Carter, DVD, April 24, 2006
-CSEA sponsored news conference introducing Rosalyn Carter’s involvement with the Foundation of Advocacy for Mental Health. Includes speeches by Matilda Cuomo, Jerry Jennings, Joseph Bruno, Rosalyn Carter and Steven Madarasz. DVD came with a paper press release from the CSEA.
Foundation of Advocacy for Mental Health Video Clips and Presentation: Rosalyn Carter, DVD, April 24, 2006
-Video clips from WNYT News Channel 13 and Capital News 9 regarding Rosalyn Carter’s news conference as well as the conference itself featuring Carter and Matilda Cuomo. DVD came with a paper press release from the CSEA.
Leading the Fight for Worker Safety, DVD, 2006
-Documentary film produced by the CSEA outlining their struggle to bring the issue of public employee safety to the attention of both the government and the public.
Remembering John J. Kelly Jr., DVD, 2006
-Video describing the important role played by former CSEA lead council John J. Kelly Jr., as well as the scholarship started in his name. Includes and interview with Kelly's son Jim.
OMR Slideshow, DVD, 2006
-Slideshow showing several CSEA members of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Danny Donohue Slideshow, DVD, November 1, 2006
-Slideshow shown at the Special Olympics banquet honoring CSEA president Danny Donohue.
Recommendations for an Ageny Policy on Computer Workstation Ergonomics, DVD, March, 2005
-Video produced by the State of New York in association with the CSEA to give guidance for all state agencies relating to computer station ergonomics.
Interview with Drs. William Bronston and Michael Wilkins, Willowbrook State School, DVD, August 19, 2007
-Videotaped interview with the two physicians instramental in exposing the poor conditions at the Willowbrook State School in the 1970s.